Loan Repayment Calculator

Estimate your repayments, total interest and the overall cost of borrowing. Enter the loan amount, interest rate, term, payment frequency and any fees to see an estimated repayment breakdown.

Loan details

%
Enter the annual interest rate or APR shown on your loan quote.
years
How is the fee paid?
Amount financed
£10,000
Estimated effective annual rate
5.1%
Monthly payment
£161.05
Total interest
£1,596
Total repaid
£11,596
Amount received
£10,000
Payments
72 × monthly
Year-by-year loan breakdown
YearPrincipalInterestBalance
1£1,466£467£8,534
2£1,541£392£6,993
3£1,620£313£5,374
4£1,703£230£3,671
5£1,790£143£1,881
6£1,881£51£0

How to use this calculator

  1. Pick your currency at the top of the calculator. It sets the formatting for every figure and does not convert values between currencies.
  2. Enter the amount you want to borrow and the interest rate. The rate is treated as a nominal annual rate charged each payment period.
  3. Set the loan term in years and choose how often you will make repayments.
  4. If there is an arrangement fee, enter it and choose whether it is taken from the loan, added to the balance or paid separately.

Results update as you type. Use the breakdown tab to see the balance fall year by year, the chart tab for capital against interest, and the summary tab for the full cost picture.

How this loan calculator works

The calculator works out a fixed repayment that clears the loan over the term you choose, then simulates the loan one payment at a time so the interest split and the final payment are exact. The final payment is usually a little smaller than the others because only the remaining balance is left to clear.

M = P × r(1 + r)ⁿ ÷ ((1 + r)ⁿ − 1)
  • M — payment per period
  • P — amount financed (loan amount, plus any fee added to the balance)
  • r — rate per period (nominal annual rate ÷ payments per year ÷ 100)
  • n — number of payments (years × payments per year)

With £10,000 at 5% over 6 years paid monthly, that resolves to about £161 a month, roughly £1,600 of interest and £11,600 repaid in total.

What information do I need?

  • The amount you want to borrow
  • The interest rate, and whether it is nominal or effective
  • The loan term and how often you will repay
  • Any arrangement, origination or prepaid fees

Nominal rate and effective annual rate

A nominal interest rate is an annual rate that does not, by itself, show the effect of compounding during the year. The effective annual rate reflects the payment frequency: when interest is charged more than once a year, the effective annual rate is higher than the nominal annual rate. The calculator shows the effective annual rate under the inputs.

How loan fees affect borrowing costs

Fees change both the amount you receive and the overall cost. If a fee is deducted from the loan amount, you receive less cash while still repaying the original amount. If a fee is added to the loan balance, interest is charged on that fee too. If it is paid separately, it adds to your upfront cost but not to the repayments.

How to reduce the cost of a loan

A shorter term usually reduces the total interest paid, though it raises the regular repayment. Overpayments can also reduce interest and shorten the term if your loan allows them without an early repayment charge. Before borrowing, check the rate, all fees, the repayment amount, the term and any early repayment conditions.

Important information

Important: This calculator provides an estimate for general information only and is not financial advice. It is not an APR calculation, a representative APR or a loan offer. Actual repayments, interest, fees and total borrowing costs depend on your lender’s terms, payment dates, calculation methods, rounding, interest-rate changes and any additional charges.

If you are worried about making loan repayments, contact your lender as soon as possible. Free, confidential debt advice may be available from StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice.

Frequently asked questions

How are loan repayments calculated?

For a standard repayment loan, each payment covers the interest due for that period first, and the rest reduces the balance. Early on, more of each payment goes towards interest; over time, more of it clears the amount borrowed. This calculator uses that standard amortisation method.

What is the difference between a nominal rate and an effective annual rate?

A nominal rate is stated annually before accounting for compounding within the year. The effective annual rate includes the effect of compounding, so it can be higher when interest is charged more than once a year. Enter the nominal rate and the calculator shows the effective annual rate alongside it.

Do loan fees affect the cost of borrowing?

Yes. If a fee is added to the balance, you also pay interest on it. If it is deducted from the loan amount, you receive less than you asked for while still repaying the full amount. If it is paid separately, it adds to your upfront cost. The calculator handles all three.

Can I use this for a personal loan or car loan?

Yes, it estimates repayments for most fixed-rate repayment loans, including personal loans and car finance on a repayment basis. It does not model variable rates, payment holidays, balloon payments, overpayments or lender-specific charges.

Is the repayment figure exact?

No. It is an estimate. Actual repayments can vary with the lender’s calculation method, payment dates, fees, rounding and any change to the interest rate.

Does this calculator show a representative APR?

No. It gives an illustrative estimate based on the numbers you enter. A lender’s representative APR and the personal rate you are offered can both differ.